Beer Review: Trillium Pot & Kettle Coffee Oatmeal Porter
- Brewery: Trillium Brewing Company
- Style: Oatmeal Porter
- ABV: 7.5%
Pot & Kettle is Trillium‘s signature oatmeal porter, brewed to deliver a soft, velvety mouthfeel and a complex, approachable character. Despite its ominously black appearance, this beer is never heavy or lumbering; instead, it offers a satisfyingly smooth, nourishing drinking experience. The rolled oats lend a creamy texture that coats the palate, making each sip wonderfully inviting.
Appearance – Pot & Kettle pours a dense, opaque black, with a creamy, dark tan head that holds its form well. The appearance is rich and inviting, promising a deeply flavorful experience. The “ominously black” color from the description is fitting, but it’s a beauty to behold in the glass, not a warning.
Aroma – A satisfying mix of roasted malt and bittersweet chocolate. There’s a subtle hint of coffee from the roasted grains, and as the beer opens, a faint suggestion of dark fruit emerges, adding a layer of complexity to the roast-forward nose. It’s a classic and clean aroma for the style.
Palate – The first sip is where the beer truly shines, delivering on the promise of its “soft, velvety mouthfeel.” The rolled oats create a luxurious texture that is smooth and coats the palate without being heavy. The flavor is a beautiful interplay of dark chocolate and roasted barley, with a distinct yet not overpowering bitterness from the Columbus hops. As it warms, the dark fruit notes—especially cherry and date—become more pronounced, adding a pleasant, subtle sweetness that complements the roasted character perfectly.
Finish -The finish is remarkably clean and dry for a porter, making it very easy to drink for a beer of its size.
Pot & Kettle is an excellent example of an Oatmeal Porter. It masterfully balances a robust, roasted malt profile with a silky-smooth mouthfeel, creating a beer that is both rich and surprisingly drinkable. It is complex without being overwhelming, and the subtle dark fruit notes that emerge as it warms make it a compelling and rewarding beer to savor. This is a must-try for any fan of the porter style, proving that a dark beer doesn’t have to be heavy to be satisfying.